Around the state

ANCHORAGE -- An Anchorage judge has ruled against the plaintiffs on their request for an injunction as part of their lawsuit over rural police protection.

The plaintiffs sought the injunction to stop the state from spending $8 million in federal funds until the Department of Public Safety comes up with a plan that distributes more law enforcement money to the Bush.

Last October the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council and 10 western Alaska villages sued the public safety department over the way the state allocates law enforcement resources. The plaintiffs allege discrimination, saying police protection is provided differently in predominantly Native communities off the road system than it is in communities on the road system.

Body of missing man found

FAIRBANKS -- Fish and Wildlife Protection officers traveling on the Chena River found the body of Walter Stevens, 50, floating in the water near a restaurant Saturday afternoon.

Stevens, who was from Stevens Village, was last seen near a bridge in Fairbanks on July 20. Friends and family searched on their own before contacting police four days later.

Officers said they saw no obvious signs that indicated foul play. Stevens' body will be sent to Anchorage for an autopsy.